May clears way for copycat customs union with Europe

Theresa May has given herself room to move on a trade bill that could upset Brexit supportersMATT DUNHAM/GETTY

Theresa May will give herself powers to create a near-identical customs union with the EU after Brexit under legislation to be considered next week.

The customs relationship with the EU could be one of the biggest political issues this year as Labour edges closer to pledging to stay in a union with the EU even if it stops Britain striking independent trade deals.

Mrs May has given herself maximum room for manoeuvre in a trade bill that will be debated in the Commons on Monday and Tuesday, in a move that could worry Brexit supporters.

Clause 31 of the bill allows the government to establish “a customs union between the UK and the country or territory”. The Commons library said that this clause gives the…